Switch Willo Stables
During the past week of 100-degree days, I enjoyed a twice-daily visit to Switch Willo Stables in northwest Austin, where my daughter attended a riding day camp. What a beautiful, lush oasis tucked away in a neighborhood that nowadays is practically in-town.
When Switch Willo opened back in 1963, it would have been on the far north side of town, and the surrounding homes were probably just a twinkle in some developer’s eye. Today its handsome brick and wooden stables, tree-shaded grounds, colorful flower beds filled with bright annuals and native and semi-tropical perennials provide an Old World-meets-Mexico ambience that I find irresistible.
After obtaining permission to take photos for my blog, I spent one sultry morning strolling the grounds and exploring, introducing myself to several of the charming occupants boarded here.
Accustomed only to dusty, old paddocks in national parks for the little riding I’ve done, I find the lushly planted grounds at Switch Willo to be half the attraction. Clearly someone spends a lot of time grooming and watering. Much of the watering is done by hand, as I witnessed on my visits.
This lovely area near the camp house leads up to a bathing and brushing area. Sadly, a small pond tucked to the right of the steps has been drained or has a leak, but this garden is an oasis nonetheless. ‘Radrazz’ Knockout roses play off the burgundy leaves of the ornamental tree behind them. Large boulders give the garden structure. And the pruned evergreen pittosporums at the top of the steps invite you up to see what’s under the arbor.
The arbor shades horses and their groomers with a ceiling of what I believe are mustang grapevines. How appropriate!
The grounds also contain classical statuary, like this Diana the huntress, set amid a red-berried holly hedge with tropical-looking loquat behind and acuba (gold-dust plant) and purple heart at her feet.
Carvings adorn the stone entry gate.
As do twin lions, one on each side.
Lions seem to be a theme, as I found another on this dry fountain tucked into an alcove of the brick stable.
Several more ornament this tiered fountain.
But horses, not lions, are what this place is all about, and every stall I passed contained a long, curious face.
This one is called Strawberry. Isn’t he sweet?
This lovely, pink-flowering vine grows at the entry to the camp house. I’m not sure what it is. Perhaps a mandevilla?
This shady bed mingles ferns, tropical foliage, and a few red begonias. It reminds me of Florida.
Dainty in appearance but tough-as-nails ruellia (Mexican petunia) grows here in soil-filled pockets of limestone boulders.
A sunny bed relies on tough, colorful plants like yellow bells, lantana, and salvias.
A handsome entry gate, hung with potted ferns, leads to another stable.
With the blazing mid-morning sun overhead, the receding empty doorways of these stalls reminded me of one of de Chirico’s paintings. Yep, I still remember a smidge of my art history.
No wonder I like this place, with all these vibrant red flowers.
Though I’ve only just gotten to know Switch Willo, I already feel a certain nostalgia for the place. By Austin standards, Switch Willo is downright venerable, and it seems a hidden treasure amid the busy rush-hour traffic of north Austin. The legions of girls (and a few boys) who ride here must surely treasure their memories of the place too. I hope it remains so for a long time to come.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
What a beautiful stable. You take wonderful pictures.
Thank you, Deb. —Pam
Your photo journey through this amazing place was very special! thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, ELK. —Pam
Indeed, Pam, this place is fabulous! We’ll be out there, and I want to go to riding camp!
I thought you’d want to take the “Central Texas Gardener” crew out there, Linda. It would make a wonderful episode. —Pam
This place is reminds me of my childhood riding adventures. Ha… I was never at a stables that was so
well manicured. This place is remarkable. I think that gray horse was flirting with you in the second
picture. You Austinites are a hardy stock. I wouldn’t be able to move in 100 degree weather let alone
be able to focus to take pictures. Great job.
Strawberry was quite the flirt. As for being hardy, I guess we have to be. But it doesn’t mean I like the heat. 😉 —Pam
What a beautiful place to go riding and board a horse. Our family horse passed away a few years ago and I still miss her. She was a pet and we had her for 15 years. I did get another horse after that but he was only with us a few months and died of an Aneurysm. I decided that was it for horses because it was to sad to go through the loss again.
I’m sorry, Cindee. That would be a hard loss to endure again. I imagine one would get very attached to a horse. They have such distinct personalities and are such beautiful creatures. —Pam
What a lovely place. Thanks for the tour.
Jan
Always Growing
You’re welcome, Jan. —Pam
What a gorgeous place and such lovely photos!! Very inspirational. Thx for sharing.
A few months ago when I asked for advice on a fence… maybe you saw that post?? Well we have been building a custom fence for our front garden, Stop by and see. It should all come together in the next 2 weeks as the local Garden Tour is coming through then!
Carol
terranovadesign.blogspot.com
I just took a look, Carol, and left a comment. Your fence looks great—such unique pickets. Good luck on the garden tour. I’m sure your garden will be a hit. —Pam
This place is gorgeous! To think of all that lushness in such heat is mind boggling. It does have a nice “Old World-meets Mexico” feeling, too; it reminds me of some places Southern California where I grew up. Great pictures, thanks for taking us along with you.
Jamie
http://ilovemywisconsingarden.blogspot.com/
You’re welcome, Jamie. Yes, I could see this place being in Southern California too. Thanks for stopping by. —Pam
Oh, my daughter would be in 7th heaven at that stable! She loves to ride too but the riding facility I take her to looks nothing like this. It’s gorgeous. If I took her here, I’d never be able to focus on her riding, I’d be off exploring the grounds instead! It looks so lush, very hard to tell it’s that blazing hot by these pics.
Well, exploring the grounds is exactly what I did several mornings after dropping off my daughter at the camp. You can’t keep a gardener from poking around to see what’s growing, can you? —Pam
That place is remarkable and so beautifully kept! I thoroughly enjoyed this stroll through such gorgeous grounds, Pam. Thanks for taking us along through the magic of your wonderful photos and descriptions!
The horses sure are pretty, and Strawberry seems to enjoy the attention 🙂 She’s a pretty one.
Horses are always fun to photograph, and Strawberry was very cooperative. 🙂 —Pam
Definitely a mandevilla. I’ve got one but it’s been misbehaving horribly this year and refuses to flower. I think it needs to be moved to a sunnier spot.
Am about to leave for a riding holiday. I was already impatient, but now I’ve seen your photos, am even more so!
Oh, that sounds like fun, Sue. I hope you’ll post about it when you come back. Have a great holiday! —Pam
i ride and take lessons at switch willo and go there every day to work. its the greatest place ever!!!!